[Verse 1]
Sun up, steel toes on
Back sore, but I stay gone
Roof hot like the floor is flame
Shingles in my hands, rain in my brain
Staring down nails, thinking ’bout loans
Collector on my back, vultures on the phone
But every board laid straight, every line I snap
Feels like one more cut through the chain on my back
[Chorus]
I work long days
Just to buy back nights
Burn my hands
Tryna build my life
Yeah, I’m paid in sweat
For a past I regret
But I’m stacking each check, each step
Blue-collar redemption of my debt
[Verse 2]
Clock out, new clock in
Lathe spin, let the grind begin
Metal chips fly, little silver storms
Blueprint dreams in fluorescent form
Oil on my jeans, coffee in my veins
Numbers in my head, weight of my name
Every bolt torqued tight, every part I face
Feels like one more inch on my own staircase
[Chorus]
I work long days
Just to buy back nights
Burn my hands
Tryna build my life
Yeah, I’m paid in sweat
For a past I regret
But I’m stacking each check, each step
Blue-collar redemption of my debt
[Bridge]
Then I’m back on the road, white lines, late shift (yeah)
Hands on the wheel, mind on the cliff
Of the life I had and the one I’ll get
I ain’t dying in the shadow of this debt
Gas station light on a crumpled receipt
Circle every dollar like a vow I’ll keep
I ain’t rich yet, but I’m not that kid
Who ran from the bill and the damage he did (nah)
[Chorus]
I work long days
Just to buy back nights
Burn my hands
Tryna build my life
Yeah, I’m paid in sweat
For a past I regret
But I’m stacking each check, each step
Blue-collar redemption of my debt
[Chorus]
I work long days
Till the past can’t bite
Beat these chains
With my busted nights
Yeah, I’m paid in sweat
But I’m cashing respect
’Cause I’m building my name, my breath
Blue-collar redemption of my debt (my debt)